People in this office move like clocks—predictable, mechanical, always on schedule.
But Ryan's been... off.
Not in a bad way. Not exactly.
Just—different.
Less critical. Less sharp around the edges. More like... watching. Listening. And it's unnerving. Because I'm used to defending myself in this building. I'm used to battling for space.
Now?
He's stepping aside and letting me breathe.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOhy3qZTdK
And it's throwing me completely off balance.
I find out later—by accident, of course—that he confronted Henry.
Stacy overheard it. She swore she wasn't eavesdropping, but if her tea spills, she drinks it too.
"He just said, 'Don't speak to her unless she speaks to you first.' Calm. Quiet. But the kind of quiet that makes grown men crap their pants."
I stare at my screen.
My fingers freeze over the keyboard.
He didn't have to do that.
He's my boss. Not my bodyguard. Not my friend.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Aua6MnI8
So why does it feel like protection?
The next day, Ryan passes by my desk.
No files. No criticism. Just... pauses.
"You okay?" he asks.
I nod. "Why wouldn't I be?"
He shrugs. "I don't like the way he looks at you."
My heart skips. I cover it with a snort. "You don't like a lot of things."
His lips twitch. "True. But I care about this one."
That stops me.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJu6hVl3Di
Like actually makes me forget how to breathe.
Because Ryan Santillan doesn't care.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbPRBzD0Nu
He calculates. He delegates. He moves forward without looking back.
So why... why is his voice so damn soft now?
Later, we're walking out of the building—an accidental overlap after late meetings. The air's cool. Quiet.
I ask, without thinking, "Why did you talk to him?"
He stops. Looks at me. Really looks at me.
"Because he had the chance to show up for you and didn't. And I couldn't stand him being near you like that—like he still had access."
Silence.
"I'm not asking for you to explain," he adds. "I just... wanted you to know someone sees it. Sees you."
And before I can respond, he gives me a short nod—and walks to his car.
And I stand there, suddenly colder than the night air.
Because for the first time in a very long time...
I feel seen.
And I don't know what to do with that.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYoBwD51SV
